"THE AVENGERS" - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from The Avengers

Marvel's The Avengers carries the weight of the World - both literally and figuratively - but does it meet the demands of Moviegoers and Comic Fans alike? You bet. Director/Writer Joss Whedon (Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) knows exactly what Fans of the Genre want and delivers item-by-item like a Grocery Checklist.  It's funny, it's intense, it's thrilling and every bit a masterfully-interwoven Spectacle.

The $220-million Blockbuster via Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) brings together Superheroes Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris Evans) and The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo).  These Superheroes are united by one great Cause to save the Earth from Thor's Brother, the ruthless Supervillain Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and his catastrophic Army, in his quest for endless Power and Domination.

The problem with Films boasting All-Star Casts is that Story Lines and Character Development often are skimpy, but impressively Whedon manages to tell each Superhero's Story clearly and concisely, with our attentions focused always on the Mission at-hand.  Anyone walking into Marvel's The Avengers without a clue would be able to enjoy the Film sans confusion amidst all the Sci-Fi jargon.  The beauty is that you don't need to see it in 3-D necessarily to enjoy it - it stands on its own in 2-D glory.  My only concern though is that v. integral The Hulk's Story Line is given the least detail here and perhaps more could have been done to build-up the excitement for his awaited massive transformation.

CHAT WITH DIRECTOR AND CAST OF "THE AVENGERS" ON JANUARY 31, 2012

Still from The Avengers

Great news for fans of The Avengers!  The eagerly-awaited Action-Adventure won't be hitting theatres till May 4, 2012, but Fans in the meantime will have a chance to chat with Writer/Director Joss Whedon, Tom Hiddleston and Clark Gregg much sooner.  For the first time ever on the Big Screen, we'll be seeing Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow on-screen together.

Marvel Studios will be sponsoring a 30-minute Live Chat on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 2:00 PM EST and to participate, you can follow @Avengers on Twitter and Tweet with the Hashtag #Avengers. During the Chat, Fans will have a chance to answer Avengers Trivia and win Prize Packs too!

  A 30-second TV Spot will be airing also during Super Bowl XLVI on February 5, 2012 on NBC. Stay tuned.

(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

FIRST TRAILER: "THE AVENGERS"

Official Artwork for The Avengers

Here it is finally! Walt Disney Motion Pictures' The Avengers, which promises to be just about the biggest Blockbuster to hit theatres in 2012, now has a first official Trailer and it looks pretty epic. Iron Man, Captain America and Thor join forces to save the World in this ultimate mash-up of Marvel Superheroes.  Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L. Jackson. Need I say more?

Watch the Trailer in full below:

See some Promotional Stills from The Avengers:

"RIO" MAKES IT TWO-FOR-TWO

Still from RIO 3-D

20th Century Fox's RIO 3-D makes it two-for-two at the Box Office this Easter weekend, with $26.8 million from 3,842 theatres. Showing no signs of stopping, perhaps we can expect it on-top for a third?

It always amazes me how loyal Tyler Perry's following is and their support along got him to second spot this weekend with the tenth installment of his Madea Franchise, Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family bringing in $25.7 million from 2,288 theatres. The Film ranks as the Director/Screenwriter's fourth-highest grossing opening ever.

Water for Elephants makes it two Films in the Top Three for 20th Century Fox with the Romantic Drama earning $17.5 million. The Film starring Reese Witherspoon and Twilight Hunk Robert Pattinson, was made for $38 million, looking to be a profitable venture for the Studio.

Former Champion Hop from Universal Pictures fares well still in its fourth week of release, landing in fourth with $12.4 million, doubtedly aided by the fact that it is Easter weekend and it is an Easter-themed Film. To-date it has made $147.7 million worldwide.

The Weinstein Co.'s Scream 4 places fourth this weekend with $7.1 million. Thus far in its two-week run, its tally is $31.2 million in North America and it was made for $40 million.

Disney's African Cats fares well in its debut, showing in only 1,220 theatres, but still landing in sixth spot. The Documentary narrated by Samuel L. Jackson has fared well with Critics, earning a 69% rating on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer.

Summit Entertainment's well-reviewed Source Code rounds out the Top Ten this week with $5 million this weekend in its fourth week of release.

SAMUEL L. JACKSON FILMING "THE SAMARITAN"

Samuel L. Jackson filming The Samaritan

The Ray of Sunshine also known as Samuel L. Jackson just looks absolutely thrilled to be photographed here returning to the Set of his latest Film tonight The Samaritan, following his Dinner Break.  I stumbled upon the Set which is just north of The Village in Toronto while taking my Dog Billy in for his late-night Antibiotic treatments.

While taking Billy on his walk, I noticed a black Escalade pulling up to the area where Filming was taking place.  Scrambling to get my Blackberry ready, I snapped a shot of Jackson making an exit from his vehicle.   Sorry, Sam!  I just had to. It was the Asian in me which possessed me to snap a Photo instinctively!

The Samaritan will be filming around town until April 20, 2011.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

SAMUEL L. JACKSON IN TORONTO FILMING "THE SAMARITAN" - READER SPOTTINGS

Samuel L. Jackson at Air Canada Centre - March 18, 2011

As many of you are aware already, Samuel L. Jackson is back in Toronto filming a small-budget Film called The Samaritan, which quietly just rolled into Production. Tonight, Filming took place at one of my favourite haunts, The Lakeview according to one Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven reader Bill - home of quite possibly the most delicious Poutine in the City. And how can you go wrong with $3 Mimosas and Caesars?

The Samaritan is about a man named Foley (Jackson) who after 20 years in Prison, is a free Man - only until he is presented with a risky offer that might just be too good to resist. The Film also stars Toronto's Luke Kirby, who filmed Sarah Polley's Take This Waltz in the City last Summer with Seth Rogen and Michelle Williams. Irish Actress Ruth Negga also stars.

Jackson was spotted Saturday night in Yorkville dining at Joso's.... but not after having some fun at a Toronto Raptors game on Friday night at Air Canada Centre, as spotted by another Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven reader and Sports Fanatic, Joscelyn. 

My Readers are the best, that's all I have to say. Thank you for pitching in!

(Photo credit: @J0scelyn)

GIVEAWAY: SAMUEL L. JACKSON AUTOGRAPH

Now, who ever said Samuel L. Jackson wasn't a nice guy?  I received these in the mail today directly from him and just thought maybe one lucky Mr. Will-W:Pop Maven reader would want to have one of these 5x7s.  Yes??!

The Oscar-nominated actor as reported earlier this week, was just in town for the RBC Canadian Open's Mike Weir Charity Classic.  Jackson also appears in the upcoming Cop Comedy The Other Guys alongside Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson.  The Sony Pictures film opens August 6, 2010.  Click here for the film's official website.

SAMUEL L. JACKSON SPOTTED IN TORONTO

He's "so sick and tired of these Motherfucking Snakes on a Plane!" - Samuel L. Jackson as Neville Flynn, Snakes on a Plane (2006)

... but he's not sick of this city and its luscious greenery!  I spotted Oscar nominee Samuel L. Jackson outside my window while having High Tea today at Windsor Arms Hotel.  Jackson appeared cool and casual in a Track Suit and Adidas Cap, having a conversation on his Bluetooth on the Hotel's Patio. Armed with an Entourage and two SUVs, Jackson - an avid Golfer - is in town for the RBC Canadian Open, which begins tomorrow through July 25, 2010 at St. George's Golf and Country Club.  Other celebrities in town include funny man George Lopez and hunky Kevin Dillon.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)